Transformation of Silanes into Silanols using Water and Recyclable Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts

Abstract

The highly selective and efficient transformation of organosilanes into silanols was achieved using readily available heterogeneous metal nanoparticle catalysts on an aluminum oxyhydroxide support [M/AlO(OH), M=Pd, Au, Rh, Ru, and Cu]. The transformation was performed under ambient conditions with water. Among the catalysts investigated, the palladium catalyst showed the highest activity; it was highly recyclable and applicable for large-scale reactions. The palladium catalyst was effective for a wide range of silanes, although small amounts of hydrogenated side products were formed in some cases for alkynyl silanes. The hydrogenation reaction was suppressed by using an oxygen atmosphere or by the using a gold catalyst. The gold catalyst could be reused at least ten times without any loss in activity.